Blood pressure changes in association with black carbon exposure in a panel of healthy adults are independent of retinal microcirculation

Abstract

Exposure to ambient particulate matter and elevated blood pressure are risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Microvascular changes might be an important pathway in explaining the association between air pollution and blood pressure. The objective of the study was to evaluate the role of the retinal microcirculation in the association between black carbon (BC) exposure and blood pressure. We estimated subchronic BC exposure based on 1-week personal measurements (μ-Aethalometer, AethLabs) in 55 healthy nurses. Blood pressure and retinal microvasculature were measured on four different days (range: 2-4) during this week. Subchronic BC exposure averaged (± SD) 1334±631ng/m(3) and ranged from 338ng/m(3) to 3889ng/m(3). An increased exposure of 631ng/m(3) BC was associated with a 2.77mmHg (95% CI: 0.39 to 5.15, p=0.027) increase in systolic blood pressure, a 2.35mmHg (95% CI: 0.52 to 4.19, p=0.016) increase in diastolic blood pressure and with 5.65μm (95% CI: 1.33 to 9.96, p=0.014) increase in central retinal venular equivalent. Mediation analysis failed to reveal an effect of retinal microvasculature in the association between blood pressure and subchronic BC exposure. In conclusion, we found a positive association between blood pressure and subchronic black carbon exposure in healthy adults. This finding adds evidence to the association between black carbon exposure and cardiovascular health effects, with elevated blood pressure as a plausible intermediate effector. Our results suggest that the changes in a person's blood pressure as a result of subchronic black carbon exposure operate independently of the retinal microcirculation.

Environmental factors in cardiovascular disease

“…60-62 A number of studies (although not all 63 ) have produced reports of associations between elevated blood pressure and long-term exposure to residential air pollution or traffic, [64][65][66] with stronger effects noted in older individuals 67 and people with CVD. 68 The prevalence of hypertension-a leading risk factor for CVD-was 9% higher in people living ≤100 m from a major road than in those living ≥1,000 m from such a road.…”

Evaluation of black carbon mass concentrations using a miniaturized aethalometer: Intercomparison with a continuous soot monitoring system (COSMOS) and a single-particle soot photometer (SP2)

“…Deposited BC reduces the Earth's surface albedo and accelerates snow and ice melting processes (IPCC 2013;Flanner and Zender 2006). The adverse effects of BC aerosols on human health have also been investigated (Croft et al 2017;Li et al 2016;Louwies et al 2015).…”

PM2.5 upregulates rat mesenteric arteries 5‐HT2A receptor via inflammatory‐mediated mitogen‐activated protein kinases signaling pathway

“…Increase of peripheral vascular resistance is one of the major pathological changes of hypertension, which relates to the changes of blood vessel function and vasoconstrictor hyperresponsiveness . To date, current researches reported that exposure to PM 2.5 induces cardiovascular hyperreactivity, alters the microvascular and macrovascular reactivity, increase vasoconstriction and changes the peripheral resistance of the blood vessels . Mesenteric artery has been regarded as a representative of a peripheral resistance vessel .…”

“…18 To date, current researches reported that exposure to PM 2.5 induces cardiovascular hyperreactivity, 19 alters the microvascular and macrovascular reactivity, increase vasoconstriction 20 and changes the peripheral resistance of the blood vessels. 21,22 Mesenteric artery has been regarded as a representative of a peripheral resistance vessel. 23,24 Nonetheless, the mechanism of PM 2.5 -induced mesenteric arteries vascular hyperreactivity has not been satisfactorily elucidated.…”